That’s Shawnee National Forest for you—a sprawling 289,000-acre paradise tucked away in southern Illinois near Herod that somehow remains one of America’s most underrated natural wonders.

Nestled in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, Makanda, Illinois might be the most delightful town you’ve never heard ...

My history instructor at College of DuPage had previously taught in California, but moved back to Illinois. As a 19-year-old ...